NOVEL NEXT Chapter 370: Transaction and Probing
As we all know.
In most cases, stones are poor conductors of electricity.
One could even bluntly say that stones do not conduct electricity.
Of course.
We're not talking about the scenario where under extreme pressure or temperature, they turn into plasma.
That's just like how if you soak a slipper in century-old marinade for half an hour it would absorb flavor, the main reason and material don't significantly matter anymore.
Stones cannot conduct electricity, so they naturally find it difficult to store residual electronic energy.
It can be said that among all the minerals discovered so far, not a single one can serve as a long-lasting capacitor.
Even in the Damo Realm, this situation is entirely consistent.
Currently, the rabbits have discovered numerous new compounds in the Damo Realm, and there are plenty of minerals—Spirit Stones being one of the most common.
Yet among these stones, there still isn't a single one that possesses capacitor properties.
Thus the command has reason to conclude that the raw material of the slate must be some extremely rare mineral.
Including in its possible forming environment is the hypothesis of special geography.
Now that the stone whistle and slate have been detected to contain the same composition, could it indicate the existence of such a geographic environment behind the Celestial Moon Mountain Range?
Furthermore, to venture a bolder assumption...
If this mineral's rarity is higher than the rabbits anticipated, with a forming environment more stringent than expected,
Then could it be possible to arrive at this conjecture:
The unknown terrain beyond the Celestial Moon Mountain Range might be the source of raw materials where that ancient civilization polished their slates?
In that case.
Could that ancient civilization have left any special traces over there?
For example, more residual electric energy, slates, or even.....
Ruins?!
The many experts present were not fools.
Even someone like Ouyang Cai who was inclined towards economic foreign trade thought of this possibility at this moment.
In an instant.
The entire atmosphere of the meeting suddenly turned a bit subtle.
Just as everyone's thoughts began to drift, Dai Chaohong spoke again:
"Everyone, I believe the oddity is not limited to just this.
At present, there's another suspicious aspect.... and that is the demands of this Barbarian Merchant Team."
Lin Li gave him a surprised glance:
"Merchant Team demands?"
Dai Chaohong took a sip of water to moisten his throat, and then explained:
"That's right, I did a simple calculation and found that Red Dragon's demand seems a bit off.
First, let's clarify one point, which is that Red Dragon indeed intends to find a long-term trading partner, not just strike and run.
According to Red Dragon's statement.
The Yange Tribe has a population of over twenty thousand people, even if the barbarians have a hearty appetite, it would only be equivalent to the food consumption of about thirty thousand ordinary people from the central region.
When we first arrived in Chixian City, the total population of Chixian City was over fifteen thousand.
Just half of that above number.
Do you all remember how much grain we consumed at that time?"
Seeing the people around him gradually fall into thought, Dai Chaohong reported a figure:
"Sixty tons of rice, twenty-four tons of vegetables, and eight tons of pork, plus 3,000 boxes of 50-pack instant noodles–all these foods took half a month to consume.
Currently, a kilogram of rice costs over three Huaxia Yuan, sixty tons amount to three hundred and sixty thousand Huaxia Yuan.
Twenty-four tons of vegetables would cost around a hundred thousand, and pork about twenty to thirty thousand.
Even with the instant noodles, a full one million and two hundred thousand should suffice, right?
Indeed, the local prices are much cheaper than those in the Damo Realm.
Even if we were to purchase at Damo Realm's prices, these foods would only be worth about 4 million; comparing to Red Dragon's demands, don't you find it strange?" (Note: The prices in the Damo Realm have been explained and calculated in previous chapters, according to the author)
Upon hearing from Dai Chaohong, Lin Li couldn't help but have a thought spring to mind:
Isn't there indeed something quite odd?
Red Dragon and Lin Ziming talked about a long-term ongoing trade relationship, assuming for the sake of argument that the period is once a year.
That is 24 times the consumption cycle of the initial Chixian City.
4 million times 2 and then times 24 is just over 100 million Huaxia Yuan—this amount is calculated based on Damo Realm's prices.
The command center roughly estimated Red Dragon's trade volume this time.
If everything goes as expected.
The total trade volume is at least half more than it was back at Ziqiong Market, which is approximately fifteen to sixteen thousand Spirit Stones.
The ratio between Spirit Stones and Huaxia Yuan is 1 to 6100, so these Spirit Stones converted to Huaxia Yuan are nearly ten billion.
Ten billion and one billion, this discrepancy can't be explained by ordinary errors.
Clearly.
There must be a huge secret hidden behind the appearance of the entire Barbarian Commerce Association.
Either the Yange Tribe's population has increased tenfold, or Red Dragon has another use for the food they're acquiring.
Not to mention the Barbarian cultivation system that the rabbits have been eager to obtain right from the start, this itself is another big problem.
The origin of the stone whistle, the reason barbarians require vast amounts of grain, and the method of the Body Refining system.
These are the three most critical issues.
The meeting has reached this point, and most of what needed to be discussed has been discussed.
In the end, the attendees unanimously came to a consensus through voting:
Officially initiate trade with the Barbarian Commerce Association, and negotiate bringing the cooperation intention to fruition through some concessions.
Furthermore, take the opportunity to explore the issues of the stone whistle and the cultivation system.
As for the secret reflected in the food demand volume, it seems inappropriate to delve into it in this round of trade.
Five hours later.
Lin Ziming, carrying a new set of instructions and a shopping list, once again approached Red Dragon:
"Red Dragon Commander, the adults in the city have agreed to conduct transactions with you.
This is our transaction list, all items on this list are available for exchange.
Chixian City has many relatively unique specialties, such as the instant noodles and beef cans you've seen before, which are just some examples.
The adults suggest that if Red Dragon Commander is not in a hurry, perhaps you could stay here for a while?
Get to know all our goods before placing an order.
If you are interested, we also can take people into the city for a tour; as the saying goes, 'guard against others but not against friends.'
Red Dragon quietly listened to the translation by Master Tian, and after discussing rapidly with an elderly barbarian beside him, finally said:
"The clan allocated ample time this time, so staying another one or two Damo Days is naturally not an issue.
However, Steward Lin, I'm not sure the price of the materials provided by your side this time..... "
Upon hearing this, Lin Ziming smiled and pointed to the transaction list:
"Red Dragon Commander, the prices are all listed there.
For example, the White Elephant instant noodles you have tried earlier, one Spirit Stone can be exchanged for twenty boxes, with each box having fifty packs.
That means one Spirit Stone can be exchanged for two boxes, a hundred packs, enough for one person to eat for fifty days."
"One person for fifty days.... which means enough for fifty people for one day?"
Red Dragon took ten seconds to do a simple calculation that even a five-year-old local child would know, and immediately rejoiced:
"Manager Lin, I want all of this type of instant noodle you have!"
Indeed, their demand for food seems a bit off.
Lin Ziming's expression did not change as he gestured with his hand to calm him down:
"Hey, Red Dragon Commander, don't be in such a hurry.
We have a lot of resources, and eating too many instant noodles might get dull.
You might also check out other items. For instance, this self-heating rice and quick-cook river snail rice noodles are quite good....
Then Lin Ziming spent half an hour introducing the rabbits' food range.
Directly afterward, seeing the excited expression on Red Dragon's face, he feigned casualness and asked:
"By the way, Red Dragon Commander, my kid likes the stone whistle you gave earlier very much.
However, I have many children, and one just doesn't go far enough. Would it be possible to ask....
The value of this stone, and where it originates?
If it suits, I'd like to purchase a few more personally as gifts for my children."
.....
Note:
This is the third update, seeking monthly votes, hoping to continue updating three times tomorrow!!!!